A Timeless Affair: Max & Ashley's Classic Wedding at Cipriani

Ashley and Max's love story began in 2012 at Syracuse University during their freshman year. They dated throughout college and even studied abroad in different countries in Europe. Despite the distance, they made it work and met up every weekend. They experienced all of college together, and then after graduation, they both moved to NYC and moved in together in 2019. They have been together for about 10 years!

On February 5, 2021, Max proposed to Ashley in their apartment. Despite a snowstorm preventing his original plan of proposing on the roof of their building, Max still made it a magical moment. Ashley walked into their apartment, which was decorated with 400 white roses, candles everywhere, and Max dressed up, holding a box. She immediately started crying, and he got down on one knee with a photographer capturing the special moment.

“The vision of my dream wedding was to have it be very me - classic with an edge. The classic was the venue and the edge was the decor.”

Bride getting ready

They got ready at the Four Seasons Hotel Downtown, and took pictures in the suite!

“The dress was designed by Mira Zwillinger who has the most amazing beautiful dresses! Mira took 32 measurements, so the dress was custom-made for me! I tried on a bunch of her dresses and loved all, but when her newest collection for spring 2022 came out, I knew the first dress I tried on was it! I had custom sleeves made for the ceremony, which I thought changed the look of the dress, and also had the matching veil! The veil itself was a work of art!”

The bride completed her look with a white satin platform heel with a knitted bow by Alexandre Birman for comfort and a gorgeous pair of Renee Coavilla silver and crystal heels that wrapped up her ankle for the fun bridal shoe and for the after-party!

“My florist was the most talented ever!!! His name is DeJuan Straud. My bouquet was made using gorgeous white ranunculus flowers!”

Groom getting ready

Max was feeling excited as he got ready for his wedding with Ashley. He carefully went through his grooming routine, making sure every detail was just right for their big day. As he prepared, he couldn't help but think about the special moments they would share together as they became husband and wife.

First Look

Ashley and Max's first look took place on the elegant staircase of their hotel, setting the stage for a day filled with romance and beauty. As Max laid eyes on his stunning bride, his first thought was simply how breathtaking she looked. For Ashley, the moment was surreal, as she could hardly believe that this was really happening - they were actually getting married!

Photoshoot before the ceremony

Their wedding day was filled with magical moments captured perfectly by their talented photographer. After sharing their first look on a grand staircase, Ashley and Max continued their photoshoot, strolling through a park where they encountered a sun shower and playfully borrowed a little boy's umbrella.

The couple then took pictures outside the National Museum of the American Indian, practicing their first dance and capturing adorable candid shots. The day's creativity and energy was expertly documented by their photographer, culminating in stunning photos with their bridal party and groomsmen outside Cipriani.

Ceremony

“One of the best moments was when we were announced as Mr & Mrs Tabak to our guests and we came out to “I came here for love” and we were so excited to get the party started! This was the first time we were announced as husband and wife and it was so much fun!”

“We had a Jewish wedding, so we had a ketubah signing which was very special and intimate and part of our Jewish tradition. We also used my kiddish cup from my bat mitzvah to drink the wine from during the ceremony! And of course the breaking of the glass!”

Wedding Venue & Decor

Exuding modern sophistication with classic touches, the wedding theme was a pristine white aesthetic. The perfect blend of contemporary lines and elegant finesse was achieved, thanks to careful planning. The chosen venue, the grand and opulent Cipriani, embodied old-world New York, with its high ceilings and Italian decor. The seamless interplay of modern and traditional elements was a sight to behold.

A standout feature of the venue was the enthralling light show that punctuated the evening. Offering glimpses of the New York City skyline, the playful falling rose petals during the glass-breaking ceremony, and the abstract lights that dazzled throughout the night, the show added a magical touch to the already enchanting ambiance.

The wedding decor was a stunning combination of white, gold, and just a touch of green that brought a refreshing and natural feel to the occasion. The white and gold theme provided an elegant and sophisticated ambiance, while the subtle use of green added a touch of nature and fresh energy. Overall, the decor was a beautiful reflection of the couple's style and taste, and perfectly complemented their special day.

Cipriani is special because of its grand and luxurious atmosphere that gives a touch of old-world charm to any wedding. The venue features high ceilings, Italian decor, and modern amenities that create a seamless blend of classic and contemporary styles.

Reception

“Our first dance song was to Ed Sheeran Perfect. It has the lyrics that describe us so perfectly!”